fabricate

verb

fab·​ri·​cate ˈfa-bri-ˌkāt How to pronounce fabricate (audio)
fabricated; fabricating

transitive verb

1
a
b
: to make up for the purpose of deception
accused of fabricating evidence
2
: construct, manufacture
specifically : to construct from diverse and usually standardized parts
Their plan is to fabricate the house out of synthetic parts.
fabricator noun

Examples of fabricate in a Sentence

Only the largest parts were fabricated at the factory. Their plan is to fabricate the house out of synthetic materials. a story fabricated to sell magazines She was accused of fabricating data.
Recent Examples on the Web The former New York representative was expelled from the House last year for fabricating his background and his sweeping criminal charges. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 While some cases remain unexplained, in almost every instance the reports were fabricated or had more mundane explanations. Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 During the brothers’ second trial, prosecutors said their abuse claims were fabricated, PEOPLE previously reported. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 Santos, an ex–New York congressman infamous for fabricating major parts of his life story during his run for office, was expelled from the House of Representatives last year after being charged with a litany of wrongdoings including fraud, money laundering, and theft. Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2024 When he was authorized to break the law as part of his informant work, he was admonished on five occasions to not obstruct justice, including by fabricating evidence, lying or tampering with witnesses, the indictment states. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The footage shows modifications to the bitcoin whitepaper being made, suggesting that such alterations could be interpreted as consistent with backdating or fabricating the document. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 The GOP investigation was undercut again last week when an FBI informant who claimed there was a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving the president, his son Hunter, and a Ukrainian energy company was charged with fabricating the story. CBS News, 21 Feb. 2024 The Clueless’s Núñez previously told Fortune her team will post stories on Aitana’s Instagram account, like breakfast bowls and pictures of sunrises, to fabricate a life that followers can become invested in. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fabricate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fabricaten, borrowed from Latin fabricātus, past participle of fabricāre, fabricārī "to fashion, shape, construct," derivative of fabrica "process of making something, craft, art" — more at fabric

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fabricate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fabricate

Cite this Entry

“Fabricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fabricate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fabricate

verb
fab·​ri·​cate ˈfab-ri-ˌkāt How to pronounce fabricate (audio)
fabricated; fabricating
1
2
: to make up in order to deceive
fabricated evidence to support her claim
3
fabrication
ˌfab-ri-ˈkā-shən
noun
fabricator noun

Legal Definition

fabricate

verb
fab·​ri·​cate ˈfa-brə-ˌkāt How to pronounce fabricate (audio)
fabricated; fabricating

transitive verb

: to make up (as testimony) with an intent to deceive

intransitive verb

: to make something up with an intent to deceive
there was a motive to fabricateGary Taylor

More from Merriam-Webster on fabricate

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